Turkish opposition supporters are fueling protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his top rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested on corruption charges. The government’s crackdown has instead energized the opposition, with rallies and boycotts becoming increasingly common.
Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was jailed pending trial on Sunday and had his university diploma annulled due to “improper procedures” more than 30 years ago. His arrest has led to nightly protests in front of City Hall and in other Turkish cities, where police have responded with force.
The opposition party, Republican People’s Party (CHP), is leading the charge against Erdogan’s government. Its leader, Ozgur Ozel, has been coordinating rallies from a room in City Hall, urging supporters to boycott companies linked to pro-government news channels. The party plans to stick with Imamoglu as its candidate, even if it means he will campaign from jail.
University students have also taken to the streets, expressing anger over Erdogan’s rule and concerns about restrictions on civil rights. Many have been arrested, but their protests remain a powerful force against the government.
The arrest of Imamoglu has sparked fears that Erdogan is seeking to consolidate his power and restrict democracy in Turkey. Analysts say the opposition must find creative ways to express itself and rally support from the public if it hopes to succeed.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/world/middleeast/turkey-opposition.html